Cancer nursing research output in Africa 2015 to 2019. A scoping review

Abstract

Background: This is the second study reporting cancer nursing research output and follows on the previous review of 2005 to 2014. Purpose: To describe the publication output in the field of cancer nursing conducted by nurses in Africa, from 1 January 2015, to 31 December 2019. Methods: A scoping review was conducted. The key words Africa, cancer nursing and oncology nursing were used to search the databases CINAHL, Pubmed, ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health, PsychINFO, Sabinet African Journals, Scopus and Web of Science. Results: The first search yielded 837 manuscripts and 84 (n = 84) met the inclusion criteria. The studies were conducted in 14 African countries. Cervical cancer was the diagnostic focus of the highest percentage (44.0%; n = 37) and cervical cancer screening the most investigated topic (28.6%; n = 24). The work was primarily quantitative (59.5%; n = 50) and seven studies (8.3%; n = 7) tested a programme. Conclusions: Compared to the 10 year review that preceded this review, Africa’s nurses have increased their research output and nurses from more countries joined the research arena. Cervical cancer, specifically cervical cancer screening dominated. Studies involving men suffering from the most common cancers and the management of pain and other distressing symptoms are urgently needed. Due to the unique challenges cancer care face in Africa, symptom management could give nurses the opportunity to test interventions to prevent suffering.

Keywords

• Africa
• Cancer nursing
• Research output
• Scoping review